News Article

FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017 Round of 16 Preview: Brazil Vs Honduras

An All-African clash sees Ghana take on Niger in the other game in Navi Mumbai.

Brazil will play in front of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium audience that idolize them once again when they face Honduras in what will likely be a lopsided FIFA U-17 World Cup Round of 16 affair on Wednesday night.

One of the five teams to win all three group games, Brazil have already proved that they’re a solid side sans Vinicius Junior. Lincoln and co. have scored more goals than any other team in the group stages, save for behind Iran and England, and their defence has been equally impressive, conceding just a solitary goal in three games. A game against Honduras shan’t make the South Americans break a sweat given the North American side’s abysmal record so far.

Team News

Honduras coach Jose Valladares hasn't stuck to a core group, making numerous changes to the line-up every game. He hinted at making changes to the side that started their final group game, a 5-1 loss to Amine Gouiri-inspired France, when talking to the press on Tuesday evening. Given their displays against France and Japan, one expects him to bring in more defence-minded players despite his promise to surprise Brazil and play possession football.

Brazil coach Carlos Amadeu told the press on Friday evening that Vitinho, who suffered a shock to his head against Niger, would miss the game. However, with Alanzinho returning to the starting line-up, their attacking strength remains the same. Yuri Alberto and Rodrigo Guth, despite impressing in the South American U-17 Football Championship, will again start from the bench, with Brazil set to field an unchanged line-up.

Head-to-Head

Despite the senior sides facing each other in CONCACAF Gold Cup and Copa America on a handful of occasions, the under-17 sides have played just one competitive game, a group-stage tie in FIFA U-17 World Cup 2013. Brazil cruised to a 3-0 win in United Arab Emirates, courtesy of goals from Monaco midfielder Gabriel Boschilia and GD Estoril Praia striker Caio Rangel. Revenge will be on the cards, with the Honduran manager promising to bring the fight to Brazil.

Marcos Antonio-Brazil: Lincoln has averaged one goal per game, and Paulinho has earned himself a lot of admirers. However, the puny Atletico Paranaense midfielder has been the one who has been crucial in transitions from defence to attack alongside his midfield partner Victor Bobsin. Never the one to fear taking on defenders or finding space in behind, he'll likely be as big a goal threat as he's a creative wizard, especially with Honduras' defence proving leaky.

Patrick Palacios-Honduras: The Honduras coach claimed he would expect goals from his midfielders, after their squandering a plethora of chances in the group stages, but it's a given that the North American side will bank heavily on their number nine, who has scored three in three appearances, for goals. Another player Hondurans will pin their hopes on is midfielder Carlos Adonys Mejia, whose striking prowess will be crucial to test Brazil custodian Gabriel Brazao.